Mel Collins

Mel Collins (born Melvyn Desmond Collins on 5 September 1947, in the Isle of Man) is a British saxophonist and flautist and prominent session musician. He has worked with an extensive number of notable recording artists, including Alexis Korner, Clannad, Eric Clapton, Bad Company, Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Roger Chapman, Marianne Faithfull, The Rolling Stones, Gerry Rafferty, Tears For Fears, Go West and others, but his most celebrated work was ... more

Mel Collins (born Melvyn Desmond Collins on 5 September 1947, in the Isle of Man) is a British saxophonist and flautist and prominent session musician. He has worked with an extensive number of notable recording artists, including Alexis Korner, Clannad, Eric Clapton, Bad Company, Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Roger Chapman, Marianne Faithfull, The Rolling Stones, Gerry Rafferty, Tears For Fears, Go West and others, but his most celebrated work was as a member of progressive rock bands King Crimson, Camel, Caravan and The Alan Parsons Project. For King Crimson he was Ian McDonald's replacement, playing the same three instruments as him on In the Wake of Poseidon, Lizard and Islands before re-appearing as a session musician on the Red album. He is currently a member of the King Crimson "revival" group, 21st century Schizoid Band with other former Crimson members. Collins played the sax solo on The Rolling Stones 1978 #1 single "Miss You", as well as playing with Dire Straits on their live... less